I could see Holland targeting a veteran 3LD for the playoffs. Broberg has been playing quite well recently (mostly on the right side) but he's a rookie so they'll want some veteran cover.
Reportedly neither Varlamov and Fleury will waive for Edmonton and since none of the available goalies are upgrades on what they have now, I don't think we'll see a goalie trade this week.
I think this team is very close to being a contender. Despite a heavy schedule that included a ton of travel (including a TB, FLA, CAR, PHI, CHI roadtrip) and a roster that has been missing some key pieces (Nugent-Hopkins, Puljujarvi, Barrie, Keith, Kassian and Archibald all missed significant time), this team has been among the league's best since Woodcroft took over on February 10th:
9-5-1 record, .633 - 10th best in the league
54.27 CF% at 5v5 - 7th best
58.49 GF% at 5v5 - 4th
54.78 xGF% at 5v5 - 5th
58.13 HDCF% at 5v5 - 2nd
Barrie, Keith, Kassian and Archibald are back, Puljujarvi is skating with the team and Nugent-Hopkins is "getting close". Since they've had some practice time, the PP seems to be getting untracked. The PK has been better recently, too.
If they can get average goaltending (which Koskinen / Skinner have shown they can deliver) they should be considered among the best teams in the league. I don't think any team can match this top-9.
Cup contender? Id worry about making the playoffs first
I'm not worried about that, as long as their health holds. The team is on a trajectory to make the postseason and the coach has them playing fantastic hockey right now.
At 5v5 they're a top-5 team, and that's based on games against some of the league's best: Tampa (x2), Florida, Carolina, Calgary, Washington, Minnesota and LA.
OhKennyHolland a aimé ceci.
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